Wave Pools: The Perfect Testing Grounds for Surfing Equipment
Surfing has always been intertwined with nature, and surfers must constantly adapt to ever-changing conditions. From the ebb and flow of tides to the whims of wind and swell – for better or worse. The hunt for the perfect alignment never ends – until you walk into a wave pool.
The on-tap consistency and predictability of wave pools provide surfers and surf equipment suppliers with the ultimate controlled environment for product testing. Some pools are now capitalizing on this convenience, hosting days where visitors can try an array of equipment, from boards to wetsuits, fins to cameras.
With no crowds to battle, convenient gear swaps, guaranteed wave counts, and predictable scheduling, these gear demonstration days are proving popular.
We spoke with Marc van Laar, Marketing and Communications manager of Rotterdam’s RiF010 Urban Surf, and Joe Hurst, Assistant Surf Operations Manager at Bristol’s The Wave. Both pools recently hosted gear demo days.
Consistent Waves: Eliminating Variables
One of the most compelling advantages of wave pools is their ability to produce consistent waves. Each wave is nearly identical, providing testers with a stable and repeatable environment for comparing gear. Testing surf equipment in the ocean is great but comes with unpredictable and unavoidable variables like wind, tides, currents, and crowd size. These factors can obscure performance differences between equipment, making it difficult to know if those John John Florence fins or the new surfboard tech you want to get are worth the price tag.
“In the ocean, testers depend on changing conditions that can vary from wave to wave,” said Marc. “[in the pool] each wave is identical, allowing testers to compare gear under the same conditions.”
This consistency is crucial for manufacturers looking to showcase the strengths of their products. With consistent waves, subtle differences in equipment performance become easier to detect. Whether it’s a fin that provides extra drive or a wetsuit that improves flexibility, testers can directly attribute improvements to the gear rather than external factors.
Another advantage of wave pools is the ease with which surfers can swap equipment. In the ocean, switching gear involves paddling back to shore, making the swap, and returning to the lineup. This process is time-consuming and energy-draining and often discourages testers from trying multiple setups. Many surfers end up sticking with one piece of equipment rather than exploring alternatives.
“You can surf the same session multiple times, which gives you greater focus on the equipment you are using. You’re able to change variables in board setup and have full faith that these changes are making the difference,” said Joe.
“In a wave pool, testers can easily swap gear between rides, letting them immediately feel the difference with each piece of equipment,” said Marc. “Feedback from our guests reflected just that: they found it to be the ideal testing environment, with a positive vibe as participants shared gear and exchanged recommendations amongst each other.”
Guaranteed Wave Count: A Fair Playing Field
In the ocean, the number of waves a surfer catches in a session largely comes down to luck. Pools eliminate this uncertainty by guaranteeing each participant a set number of waves. This reliability ensures fairness and maximizes the efficiency of testing sessions.
“Testers know they’ll have a set number of waves to trial the gear without needing to rely on swell conditions or contend with crowds,” said Marc.
This guaranteed wave count translates into a more structured and productive demonstration for manufacturers. They can allocate specific time slots for each piece of equipment, ensuring every product receives a fair trial. This predictability is especially valuable for high-performance gear, where subtle differences can make a significant impact.
Joe also pointed out that on the demo day all gear was included in the price of the rental (e.g board, fins, insurance) for the customers.
“Our focus at The Wave is all around performance, durability, and sustainability. We want boards that are good for our customers to surf, which last a long time and don’t damage easily,” said Joe.
Predictable Scheduling: Planning Without Weather Worries
Surfing in the ocean requires constant adaptation to weather patterns and swell forecasts.
“Wave pools offer complete control over the scheduling of test days, so participants and suppliers can plan ahead without worrying about weather or wave patterns,” said Marc.
This reliability makes wave pools attractive for surf brands organizing demo days. Predictable scheduling also allows participants to plan their attendance in advance, making it easier to attract a larger, and more diverse group of participants.
The Future of Surf Gear Testing
“The demo day at RiF010 (Rotterdam) was a huge success for us,” said Jeroen van den Brand of New Harbour Agencies. “The vibrant atmosphere and collaboration with other brands made it an unforgettable event. Seeing so many people experience the difference between a regular wetsuit and an O’Neill wetsuit was incredibly valuable for us as a brand. Next time, we plan to go even bigger by showcasing some of our upcoming products,”
Jerone noted that product education when combined with demo testing has the greatest impact.
“Many admitted that they’d never thought of testing a wetsuit before, but the combination of a quick neoprene clinic followed by a hands-on test session was a real eye-opener for them,” added Jerone.
In Bristol Joe also noted that surfboard testing is the most popular and that the evening session proved to be a favorite.
“We had Channel Islands and Firewire in for the last Demo Day of the year. Both reported lots of interest from customers. Channel Islands had most of their fleet in the lake through the day, and Firewire held our first demo sessions under lights in the evening.”
Joe added that The Wave and their brand partners are now looking at ways to expand equipment options next year.
Wave pools offer manufacturers a platform to refine products and build trust, while surfers can test gear in a supportive setting. With the proliferation of surf parks around the world, their impact on the surfing industry and the tradition of demo days will continue to expand and move beyond the beach.
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